The successful candidate will secure a 26-month collaborative Knowledge Transfer Project (KTP) position between Heriot-Watt University and Sidon Water Ltd. 

The Associate will receive specialist training in electrochemistry, water-chemistry analysis, materials and surface characterisation, and predictive modelling from experts at Heriot-Watt University before leading the development of a practical, evidence-based framework for predicting the performance of Sidon Water's Integro electrochemical water-conditioning technology. 

The role represents an opportunity to shape how a growing UK water-technology company evaluates, validates and deploys a sustainable, non-chemical approach to scale control and fouling mitigation. You will be at the heart of an interdisciplinary programme linking fundamental scientific investigation with real-world applications in desalination, reverse osmosis, industrial water treatment, leisure, hospitality and commercial hot-water systems. 
 

This project and its Associate fulfil a critical role at Sidon Water. The Associate will transfer and embed new scientific, analytical and modelling capability within the business, helping Sidon move from demonstration-led sales to a scalable, evidence-based technical-sales and consultancy model. The project will build an improved understanding of ion behaviour, mineral nucleation and scale formation; establish in-house water-testing and analytical procedures; define the technology's operational performance envelope; and develop Sidon's first validated predictive performance model. 

This full-time position is funded by Sidon Water Ltd and Innovate UK. The successful appointee will be based primarily at Sidon Water's premises at 18 North Street, Glenrothes, Fife, KY7 5NA, with approximately nine months of laboratory-based activity at Heriot-Watt University's Riccarton campus in Edinburgh across the project. If the project is successful, there may be an opportunity to secure a permanent role at Sidon Water to support the continued development and commercialisation of the capability. 

The role may particularly appeal to people currently engaged in work such as: 
Water chemistry, water analysis, industrial water treatment, desalination or reverse-osmosis research and development. 

Electrochemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, physics or surface-characterisation research. 

Applied scientific or engineering roles that combine laboratory investigation, data analysis, modelling and translation into practical commercial tools. 

As a KTP Associate, you will receive training as part of a national Associate cohort, training on Sidon Water systems and processes, protected development time, and a dedicated personal and professional development budget. 

Application deadline: 26 November 2026

For more information and to apply visit https://enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX/job/5030